Venue: Navarathri Mandapam
District: Thiruvananthapuram
As the shores of God’s Own Country prepare to greet the auspicious period of Navarathri, it is at the historic Navarathri Mandapam at the Fort Palace complex in Thiruvananthapuram where the lights shine brightest. Annually, it hosts the prestigious Navarathri Music Festival, a nine-day music fiesta where fans get to view some of the giants of the classical music industry. The main features are the exquisite kritis (compositions) of Swathi Thirunal, legendary composer and the former ruler of Travancore. The acoustics at the venue also garner a lot of attention. Earthen pots, of varying shapes and sizes, are held up on the ceiling using specialized coir ropes. Their mouths facing the ground, these acts as the perfect sound reflectors that ensure the overall audio quality is not ruined by echoes. Oil lamps adorn the stage and highlight the performances in a blaze of splendour.
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Disclaimer
In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs. We have calculated the festival dates based on these. But there can be changes in the dates according the customs and rituals associated with each place of worship. As such, these should be considered only as approximate dates and have to be confirmed with the local authorities.